The background check is an indispensable part of the pre-employment screening process. One wrong hire can cause disharmony in the company’s functions, thereby wasting its precious resources.
When an applicant submits their resume, companies are likely to assume the authenticity of the content presented. However, there can be cases where the applicant is hiding the actual truth from the employer. In order to save the company from probable threats, a comprehensive background check is vital. Find out what a thorough background check may or may not reveal!
Social Security Verification and Identity Check
Companies often hire third parties to scan a potential employee’s social security number. Security number scans help verify basic information like name, age, and address using extensive databases, such as the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records.
In case false information is provided during an interview or in the application, a social security number scan can confirm or deny such information. It is also important to look into the applicant’s education and work history. Nick Fishman, the chief marketing director with EmployeeScreenIQ, revealed that there is a 57% discrepancy rate in the applicant’s resumes.
Credit Report
Credit reports are a significant source to expose probable signs of warning in an applicant’s credentials. If the potential employee is going to be engaged in money handling on behalf of the employer, a substantial level of debt or extreme spending on assets in their personal life could signify financial laxity. Credit reports are arranged by credit bureaus that collate data from a number of sources.
The credit report includes a list of:
- Credit inquiries made in the past
- Financial institutions the applicant is associated with
- Relationship with lenders who have called for a consumer’s credit report
- Previous bankruptcies, if any
Criminal Records
Candidate screening is incomplete without a criminal background check. Negligent hiring can cause distress to a company if the employee is accused of wrongdoings. Criminal background checks can reveal various offenses including:
- Existing pending charges
- Convictions for misdemeanor and felony
- Acquitted and dismissed charges
The information revealed through background checks fluctuates according to the extent of the background check. It is possible that specific information cannot be ascertained after a certain period of time has passed. For instance, the time for which bankruptcies stay on a person’s record is seven to ten years after which it is erased from public records.
Even tax liens and defaulted loans are removed from the records after a period of seven years. Similarly, individuals who have been arrested previously may request expunging of the arrests (removal of the charge from public records) once a charge is dismissed.
Key Takeaway
Finding truthful, accountable, and reliable employees is not an easy task. It is therefore prudent to hire experienced pre-employment screening service providers. A more meticulous background check — particularly one conducted through an established company – can present a more detailed understanding of the applicant’s history.
Candidates should recognize that the credentials they present to prospective employers can be verified, and they should focus on providing only genuine information.
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